Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - Reducing the risk

I've just completed writing a feature on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - I will never call it 'cot death' again.

You cannot prevent SIDS but there are safe sleep steps that can reduce the risk. According to the Lullaby Trust (a charity providing specialist support for bereaved families, promoting expert advice on safer baby sleep and raising awareness on sudden infant death), these are:

* Always place your baby on their back to sleep

* Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth

* Breastfeed your baby, if you can

* Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

* Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby

* Don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink, take drugs or are extremely tired, or if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth weight.

• Avoid letting your baby get too hot

• Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding

Seeking further help & advice?
Advice including factsheets and the latest research can be found by visiting lullabytrust.org.uk or emailing info@lullabytrust.org.uk

The Lullaby Trust bereavement support line is 0808 802 6868 or the information line is 0808 802 6869.

The article 'Lullaby & goodnight' will be published in the upcoming Nov/Dec issue of Baby London magazine. My thanks to Jennie Henley and Robert Weeks for all their brave help.